Wednesday, December 15th

Sixth Grade

We did not have math class today so there is no homework!

Spelling Unit 16 will be due on January 5th - that is the WEDNESDAY after the break.

Literature - We just read from The Golden Goblet. We are getting closer to finishing!

Seventh Grade

For the Christmas party on Friday, remember to bring a gift worth $5.00 or less. Make sure it could be for a boy or a girl and that it is something YOU would like to receive. NO GAG GIFTS.

Literature - We read from "A Christmas Carol" today and the homework is TAS #1-8 and AL #1-3, for Act I. These questions are in the middle of the play, after Act I and before Act II.

Math - Lesson 46. Practice and #1-15 only.

Spelling Unit 16 is due on Friday!

Eighth Grade

Pre-Algebra. Here are the problems to the practice test worked out - with answers!




See you tomorrow!
Mrs. Swickey

Tuesday, December 14th

Sixth Grade

Math - Lesson 47. Subtracting fractions with regrouping. Remember to borrow from the whole number and add the denominator to the numerator to make the new numerator. Here is an example:

Seventh Grade

Math - Lesson 45. Practice ONLY - AND - Supplemental 45. Dividing by a decimal. Remember to move the decimal over however many times it takes to make it a whole number (to the number on the outside). Then, move the decimal over the same number of places to the number on the inside. Move the decimal up and divide like normal.

That's all! We read more of "A Christmas Carol today, but there isn't any homework. (You will have it tomorrow though!)

Eighth Grade

Pre-Algebra - I will post all of your answers tomorrow night. Instead of just posting the answers, I'm working out the problems for you. Please check back!

Algebra I - Here are the answers, with each problem worked out - remember, you can click each picture to make it bigger and easier to read:

Monday, December 13th

Notice to all parents and students:

A list of missing assignments were passed out today to those students who have incomplete work. All assignments are due by FRIDAY, December 17th.

Sixth Grade

Math - Lesson 46. Mentally multiplying decimal numbers by 10 and 100. Remember, to multiply a decimal number by 10, just move the decimal to the right ONE place. To multiply a decimal number by 100, move the decimal to the right TWO places. If you have to, fill in empty places with zeros.

Spelling - Unit 15 is due tomorrow! You will be having a test too, so be sure to study.

Literature - We read Chapter 12 of The Golden Goblet. No homework!

Seventh Grade

Spelling - Unit 16 is due on Friday.

Literature - We began reading "A Christmas Carol" today. We will read the play this week and watch the movie on Friday! No homework.

Math - For math this week, we are doing the "Save the Penguins" unit that Mrs. Lassiter and I taught to the 8th graders last week. The materials are on loan, so while the unit really ties into the Physical Science of 8th grade, we wanted to give the 7th graders the same opportunity while we have the supplies. It's going to be a lot of fun! There will be some math homework this week, but not as much.

Eighth Grade

During our class time today, The Grinch was here, so there is no homework!

See you tomorrow!
Mrs. Swickey

Monday, December 6th

Sixth Grade

Math - Lesson 43. Dividing decimals by whole numbers. Remember, the rule here is: DEAL WITH DECIMALS FIRST. Move the decimal point UP into the answer. Then, divide like normal. If you have a remainder, remember, you do NOT write it as a mixed fraction or as a remainder. Instead, add an extra zero to the end of the number inside the box and drop it down. Keep dividing from here.

Spelling - Unit 14 is due tomorrow! Since I didn't get your books back to you until Friday, you do NOT have to do Vocabulary Connections this week. Please remember to study for the test!

Literature - No homework! We read from The Golden Goblet today.

Seventh Grade

Literature - We read from Treasure Island today. No homework!

Math - Practice Test 7. Please finish the practice test tomorrow!

Grammar - No homework.

Spelling - Pretest today - remember, if you keep your pretest with the take home study sheet, have the study sheet signed by a parent, and bring it back on Friday, you will get 10 bonus points in Spelling! Since there are not that many grades in Spelling, this will really help.

Eighth Grade

This week, Mrs. Lassiter and I are working together with the 8th graders on a heat transfer unit called, "Save The Penguins". Today, the class learned that aluminum foil is NOT a good way to keep a soda pop cold! You should be wrapping those pops up in a WOOL SOCK. Weird, huh?
Tomorrow, you will learn more about radiation, convection, and conduction as we test out some materials.

See you tomorrow!

Mrs. Swickey

Thursday, December 2nd

Sixth Grade

Math - Lesson 43. Simplifying, comparing, and ordering decimal numbers. Remember, anytime you have a decimal number that has zeros at the end, you can drop off those final zeros. For example:

0.0300 is the same as 0.03 or simply .03

To compare two decimal numbers, you can do two things. One is add zeros at the end to make the decimal places the same and compare the numbers after the decimal point. For example:

Compare: 0.092 0.92

You can add a zero after the 0.92 to make is 0.920 (It's the exact same number.)

Now, you can compare the numbers after the decimal. In 0.092, you see the number 92. In 0.920, you see the number 920. Since 920 is bigger than 92, then 0.92 is bigger than 0.092.

The other method is to write the numbers vertically as if you were going to add. Line up the decimal places like this:

0.092
0.92

Now look at the places as columns. In the ones place, both numbers have a zero. So you move on to the next place to the right - the tenths place. The top number has a zero in the tenths place and the bottom number has a 9 in the tenths place. That means that 0.92 is bigger since 9 is bigger than 0.

You can use either method above for ordering numbers too.

Literature - The students are giving their book reports so there is no homework!

Seventh Grade

Spelling - Unit 14 is due tomorrow. Be sure you are finished and don't forget to STUDY!

Literature - We read some from Treasure Island today. No homework.

Grammar - pp. 71-72. Exercises A, B, and DWS. Follow instructions on exercise A. For exercise B, you only need to write the compound preposition. You do not have to rewrite the sentence. For DWS, follow instructions.

Math - Investigation 4. #5-12.

To make a stem and leaf plot, you first have to decide what the interval on the stem will be. Since all of the numbers are two digits, the stem should probably be 10's. The leaves are the numbers to the right of the line. Each of those numbers, along with the stem number, stand for one of the numbers in the list. So, if there's a 2 on the stem and a 4 as a leaf, that number is 24.

To find the range, subtract the highest number from the lowest number.

To find the mode, look for the number that occurs MOST often.

To find the median, locate the middle number. You can do this by counting how many numbers there are. If there is an odd number, divide your number of numbers by 2 and round up. So, if you had 27 numbers, 27 divided by 2 is 13 1/2, so your median is the 14th number. If you have an even number of numbers, find the middle TWO numbers and average them. (add them and divide by 2)

You find the quartiles in the same way, only you are using one half of the numbers. For the first quartile, find the middle number of all the numbers LESS than the median. To find the third quartile, find the middle number of all the numbers GREATER than the median.

To make the box and whisker plot, use the example in the book as a guide to setting up your plot.

Eighth Grade

Pre-Algebra. Lesson 44 practice and #5-20.

Algebra I. Lesson 44, practice and #8-22.

See you tomorrow!
Mrs. Swickey

Tuesday, November 30th

Sixth Grade

Due to the Science Fair, there is no homework in Literature or Spelling! The students did take the Spelling pretest, but they will get their books back tomorrow to begin working on the unit.

In Math, the assignment is Supplemental 40 - Sets A and B. Lesson 42 from yesterday will be turned in tomorrow.

Seventh Grade

Due to Science Fair, there is no homework today! For tomorrow, you will need to have your Literature questions for Chapter 7 of Treasure Island and Math Lesson 38 - practice only and all of Lesson 39.

Spelling - Remember, Unit 14 is due on Friday.

Eighth Grade

Both classes took a test so there is no homework!

See you tomorrow,
Mrs. Swickey

Monday, November 29th

Sixth Grade

Literature - We read from The Golden Goblet today. The homework is Quiz Time for Section 3 (chapters 7-9).

**Remember** Book Reports are due on Wednesday (You get an extra day because of the Science Fair.) You need to have the Book Report Data Sheet, Book Summary, and Extended Activity.

Spelling - I have not assigned a new unit yet. We will do a pretest for Unit 14 tomorrow.

Math - Lesson 43.

Seventh Grade

Literature - We read from Treasure Island today. The homework is the Chapter 7 questions.

**Remember** Your book reports are due on Wednesday. You need to have a Book Report Data Sheet with your reflection and the essay. Please take the time to write a good, thoughtful essay. I will be grading more strictly this time.

Grammar - There is an adverbs test tomorrow. Remember your notes that you took during the review today - you will earn 5 bonus points for having them tomorrow!

Math - Lesson 38 - practice only. (We did these together.) Lesson 39 - ALL. We are behind in 7th grade math so we will work a few lessons together when feasible.

Eighth Grade

Both groups worked on a Practice test today. There will be a test tomorrow.

See you then!
Mrs. Swickey

Thursday, November 18th

Sixth Grade

Literature - Questions over Chapter 8 of The Golden Goblet.

Math - Practice Test 7.

Seventh Grade

Literature - Questions over Chapter 4. Draw a picture of something that happened in Chapter 5. (no gruesome pictures, please!)

Spelling - Unit 13 is due tomorrow! Be sure to finish the unit and study for the test.

Grammar - Adverbs Worksheets.

Math - Lesson 35 - Practice problems only!

Eighth Grade

Pre-Algebra - Lesson 41. To find the overall average, first find out how much all the numbers add up to and then divide that by the number of numbers. Here is an example:

The average of the first four scores was 87. The average the next 6 scores was 75. What was the overall average?

You can set up the problem like this:

# of Scores x Average = Total

4 x 87 = 348 (The total tells you how much the scores
added up to.)

6 x 75 = 450

Now total the two totals. 348 + 450 = 798

Since you now have a total of TEN scores, divide 798 by 10. You can just move a decimal one place to the left when you divide by 10. The answer would be 79.8.

Algebra I - Lesson 41.

Addition of like terms. To add terms in rational expressions, first, rewrite each term so that all the exponents are positive. Do this by moving your variables with negative exponents across the fraction bars and changing the exponent to a positive. Now, look at all the terms. If the variables and their exponents are identical, then you have like terms. Add the coefficients in the numerator only. Remember, it's like adding fractions - you only add the numerators and keep the denominators the same.

Two-step problems. These are simple evaluation problems with an extra step. For example:

If x - 5 = 20, what is the value of x - 4?

First, solve the equation to find the value of x. Add 5 to both sides and you see x = 25. Then, use that answer to evaluate the expression, x - 4. So, you have 25 - 4 = 21.

See you tomorrow!
Mrs. Swickey

Wednesday, November 17th

Sixth Grade

Literature - We finished another chapter from The Golden Goblet! I will give you the questions for the chapter tomorrow.

Spelling - The class took a pretest today over Unit 13. The unit is due next Tuesday.

Math - Lesson 40. Place holder zeros. Remember, you must use place holder zeros when subtracting decimal numbers. Also, remember that you have to line up your decimals when you add or subtract. When dividing, you don't have to line them up, but you will need to add in zeros as place holders in the answer. Here are a few examples:


That's it!

Seventh Grade

Math - We had Junior Achievement during math class today, so there is no homework!

Literature - We read from Treasure Island and then the class had DEAR time (drop everything and read). No homework!

Spelling - Unit 13. Be sure you are working and studying the unit and words!

Eighth Grade

Pre - Algebra. Lesson 40. To solve multiplication or division equations, always do the OPPOSITE of what is happening to the variable. So if the variable is being multiplied by 5, divide both sides by 5. If the variable is being divided by 3, multiply both sides by 3. Remember that when a variable is being multiplied by a fraction, you solve by multiplying by the RECIPROCAL of the fraction. (It's the same thing as dividing by the fraction, but saves you a step.)

Algebra I - Lesson 40. Simplifying expressions with negative exponents. I will do a few examples, but remember that when you move variables across the fraction bar, it changes the exponent from positive to negative, or from negative to positive. If the problem asks you to write the answer all in the numerator, I think it's easier to move everything up first and then simplify. Here are some examples:



See you tomorrow!
Mrs. Swickey

Monday, November 15th

Sixth Grade

Literature - Questions over Chapter 7 of The Golden Goblet.

Spelling - Unit 12 is due tomorrow! Please be sure you have completed the unit and studied the words.

Math - Lesson 38. To add and subtract decimal numbers and whole numbers, you still write the numbers lining up the decimal points. Remember, to write a whole number with a decimal point, you put the decimal point to the RIGHT of the whole number. So, 12, becomes 12.

Then line up the decimals and add or subtract!

For the problems about squares, if you are given the perimeter, you can find the length of one side by dividing by 4. (A square has four sides that are all the same.) So, if a square has a perimeter of 20 inches, then each side is 5 inches long. (4 sides at 5 inches long each means a perimeter of 20 inches.)

Now, suppose you wanted to find the area of square when you are given the perimeter. If the perimeter is 24 inches, first divide by 4 to find out how long each side is. For this square, each side would be 6 inches long. To find the area of a square, remember that you multiply side times side - or in this case, 6 inches x 6 inches. So the area is 36 square inches.

Seventh Grade

Vocabulary - Unit 5 and the cards are due tomorrow! Please be sure you have finished the unit.

Literature - Treasure Island Chapter 2 questions.

Grammar - pg. 68, exercise B and DWS. For DWS, remember that you are underlining the adverb used ONCE and the word the adverb describes TWICE. For exercise B, just follow instructions.

Math - Lesson 33. Comparing and Rounding Decimals. Remember, when you order decimals from least to greatest, you can do two different things, but for either method, you first need to write the decimals up and down as if you were adding (lining up the decimal points). For the first method, start with the largest place and compare all the numbers in that place. If they are the same, move on to the next place and compare those. Keep going until you have your order. Here is an example:


The other method is to fill in empty places with zeros and compare the numbers after the decimal point. Here is an example of that:

Eighth Grade

Pre-Algebra. Lesson 38. Coordinate Plane. This new concept for this lesson is a review over graphing points on a coordinate plane. Everyone did an excellent job remembering how in class today.

Algebra I - Ratio problems. To do the problems that aren't word problems, you simply cross multiply and solve the resulting equation.

For word ratio problems, I will do an example:

See you tomorrow!
Mrs. Swickey

Thursday, November 11th

Sixth Grade

Literature - No homework!

Spelling - Work on Unit 12. It is due on Tuesday.

Math - Lesson 36.

Seventh Grade

Spelling - Unit 12 is due tomorrow! Be sure to study tonight and finish the unit.

Literature - Treasure Island Chapter 1 questions. (Many students finished in class.) Just as a reminder, Jim Hawkins is the narrator - the boy who is telling the story. Billy Bones is the inn's guest who wants to be called "captain" and is creepy.

Vocabulary - Unit 5. Write 10 sentences with 10 of the words. The unit and cards will be due on Tuesday.

Math - Lesson 31.

Eighth Grade

Pre-Algebra took a test today. No homework! (unless you are missing work)

Algebra I - There is a test tomorrow. The class worked through a practice test today.

See you tomorrow!

Mrs. Swickey

Wednesday, November 10th

Sixth Grade

Literature - Questions over Chapter 6. Many students were able to get these finished or close to finished in class.

Spelling - Unit 12 review. As for regular units, I send home a home study sheet with the words. For review units, this is the only way the students will know which words will be on the test as the unit reviews many more than 20 words. The Unit review covers words studied from Units 7-11. Please be sure you are studying the list! The test is next Tuesday.

Math - The class took a test today. The assignment was Supplemental 35. Many students finished in class.

Seventh Grade

Literature - We began reading Treasure Island today! It's going to be a lot of fun and full of adventure. I passed out a map of the island. Write a set of directions to the treasure.

Our math class was taken up with Junior Achievement today, so there is no homework!

Spelling - Be sure you are working on the unit. It is due on Friday!

Eighth Grade

Pre-Algebra

Practice Test 8.

We did not finish going over the practice test questions. Here are the answers to the rest of the questions.

#9a - 37, 41, 43, 47

10. 17/3

11. 35/24 = 1 11/24

12. 22/45

13. 8

14. 3

15. 1,024

16. 9/14

17. 18 2/7

18. 600

19. 3.43

20. 128 square meters

For Pre-Algebra students, if you came to the blog to check your answers, send me an email. I'd just like to know who stopped by! You can also tell me if you had trouble with any problems. My email is b swickey at scb school dot org (take out spaces and change the at to the symbol and the dot to a period)

Algebra I - Lesson 37.

See you tomorrow!

Mrs. Swickey

Tuesday, November 9th

There is a PTC meeting at 7:00 tonight! I will make the blog quick, so there won't be any explanations tonight. Sorry!

Sixth Grade

Math - The class worked through a practice test. There is a test tomorrow.

Literature - No homework! We read more of the book today and the class took a vocabulary test.

Spelling - No homework! The test was today.

Seventh Grade

Math - Finish Investigation 3. The class took a math test today.

Literature - Rewrite your essay from yesterday making changes as discussed during your peer reviews today.

Spelling - Work on Unit 12. It is due on Friday! I sent home the wrong study sheet yesterday. I will give you a new one tomorrow. Be sure you are studying the words for 7th grade. (It says the grade on one side of the sheet.)

Grammar - Adverbs. pp. 67. Exercise A. Remember, do NOT follow the instructions. Instead, just make two columns and write the adverb in the left column and the word being described in the the right column.

Eighth Grade

Both classes are to do Lesson 36.

See you tomorrow!

Mrs. Swickey

Monday, November 8th

Sixth Grade

Literature - We read from The Golden Goblet today and went over the vocabulary words for Section 2 Set 2. There will be a quiz tomorrow, so be sure to study the words! Also, there was another assignment due today that wasn't on the blog over the weekend. Some students forgot about it. It is the chapter 5 questions. I sent home a copy of the questions with 5 students today (including those whose parents I spoke with Friday afternoon). This needs to be turned in tomorrow.

Spelling - Unit 11 is due tomorrow. You do not have to do Vocabulary Connections this week! The test is also tomorrow. PLEASE STUDY!

Math - Lesson 35. Writing decimal numbers as fractions. Remember, if you can read the decimal, you can write it as a fraction. 0.9 is read as "nine tenths" so you write THAT fraction: 9/10

To write a fraction as a decimal, it's just the reverse. The bottom number tells you the decimal place. So, the fraction 3/10 is read as "three tenths" so there is a 3 in the tenths place - the place right after the decimal. This is written as 0.3

To write a decimal number in words, remember, if you can READ it, you can write it. You know the place to say at the end by looking at the place value chart. What place is the last number in? For example, in the number 30.025, the 5 is the last decimal place. It is in the thousandths, so you would read it like this: "thirty AND twenty-five thousandths"

The decimal point always says "AND".

Seventh Grade

This afternoon, each student received a communique, a Thanksgiving dinner sign-up, and a sign-up for eye testing.

Spelling - Unit 12. This is a unit review. I sent home a home study sheet with the words you will need to know.

Math - I sent home a practice test to be worked on at home. Please do not finish the Investigation. We will have time to do it together. There is a math test tomorrow. We will go over the practice test first.

Literature - We discussed how to write an essay for the book reports. Today, we focused on character and used a character from the play, "The Monsters are Due on Maple Street" as everyone understood the story really well. You are to write a rough draft of an essay tonight on one of the following four characters: Les, Steve, Charlie, or The Woman. Focus two or three character traits. Tell how those traits impact the story and other characters. Maybe your character made other people think a certain way (like Tommy), or maybe your character made the story more tense. Don't forget a topic sentence (introduction sentence) and a concluding sentence.

Eighth Grade

Pre-Algebra - Lesson 35. Subtracting Mixed Numbers. Remember, to subtract mixed numbers, you first have to find a common denominator. Once you've done that, check to make sure the top numerator is bigger than the bottom numerator. If so, subtract like normal. If the top numerator is SMALLER than the bottom numerator, you will have to borrow from the top whole number. Take one away from the whole number. Then, to find the new top numerator, add the denominator to numerator. For example, if the mixed number was 3 1/10, you would borrow from the 3 and add 10 to 1. You would now have 2 11/10.

Algebra I - Factoring the Greatest Common Factor and Canceling.

To factor the greatest common factor, you first FIND the GCF as learned in Lesson 34. Next, you factor OUT of each term the GCF. This means that you take it out of each. Think about how it's a FACTOR. You aren't subtracting, but it's like dividing. Here are a few examples:


My mimio pad is acting up so I can't do any more examples. PLEASE email me if you have any questions! I'll check my email several times tonight.

See you tomorrow!
Mrs. Swickey

Friday, November 5th

Sixth Grade

Literature - Section 2 Set 2 Vocabulary Words. I passed out a list of words this time instead of having the students write the down from the board. The students should look up all the words in a dictionary and write down the definition. We will go over the definitions in class on Monday and there will be a quiz on Wednesday.

Spelling - Unit 11 is due on Tuesday. You do not have to do the vocabulary Connections this week. The test will also be on Tuesday. Please study!

Math - Lesson 34. Decimal place value. You learned about three places after the decimal on Friday. The first place after the decimal is the tenths. With a 1 in this place, it is the same as writing 1/10 as a fraction, like this: 0.1. It also the place for the dime in money, since a dime is 1/10th of a dollar. The second place after the decimal is the hundredths. With a 1 in this place (and a zero in the tenths place like this: 0.01), it is like writing 1/100 as a fraction. It is also the place for the penny in money, since 1 penny is 1/100th of a dollar. The third place after the decimal is the thousandth. With a 1 in this place (and zeros in both the tenths and the hundredths like this: 0.001), then it is like writing 1/1,000 as a fraction. We do not have a coin for this place in money because the smallest coin is a penny.

Seventh Grade

Grammar - Adverbs. pp. 63-65. Exercises A, B, and C. For exercise A, you do not have to make columns. Just write the question the adverb answers. For exercises B and C, just follow the instructions.

Math - Lesson 30. Comparing, Adding, and Subtracting fractions with unlike denominators. Remember, you cannot compare fractions until you have written them with common denominators. Also, you cannot add or subtract fractions without making common denominators.

Literature - No homework!

Spelling - No homework!

Eighth Grade

Pre-Algebra. Lesson 34. Adding Mixed Numbers and Rate.

For adding mixed numbers, remember that you have to have common denominators to add fractions.

For rate, anytime you are comparing two numbers by writing them as a fraction. For example, 2 apples cost 80 cents can be written as 2 apples/80 cents or 80 cents/2 apples. To write them as a rate, you would write them using the word per so that we know the cost for just ONE (one apple or one cent). You could just reduce the numbers in the fraction. 80 cents/2 apples could reduce to 40 cents/1 apple by dividing 2 and 80 by 2. This is read as 40 cents PER apple. To write that as apples per cent, you would start with 2 apples/80 cents and divide both by 2 to get 1 apple/40 cents. You want it to be PER cent, so you could take the numbers as a fraction 1 and 40 and write it as 1/40th of an apple per each cent. (That sounds silly, but it's what they are asking for.) If you wrote the two rates as:

1 apple/40 cents and 40 cents/1 apple

I would accept that.

You are only doing the practice problems and #5-20.

Algebra I - Lesson 34. Greatest Common Factor. For greatest common factor, you are looking for the factors that all the terms have in common. You already know how to do this with numbers. When you add in variables with exponents, you look to see if the terms have the variable in common and write it with the highest exponent that is in EACH ONE. Here is an example:

You are doing practice and #15-30 ONLY.

See you on Monday!
Mrs. Swickey

Wednesday, November 3rd

Sixth Grade

Literature - Questions over Chapter 5 of The Golden Goblet.

Math - Lesson 33. Writing percents as fractions. EVERY percent is out of 100 - so every percent written as a fraction should be written over 100. Then, reduce the fraction. Remember, your final fraction is NOT a percent, so do not put the percent sign! For example, to change 30% to a fraction, first write 30 over 100. Then reduce by dividing both 30 and 100 by 10.

30/100 divided by 10/10 = 3/10

Seventh Grade

Literature - The class took a Selection Test over The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street. There is no homework!

Spelling - Work on Unit 11 and study for the test!

Grammar - There is an adjectives test tomorrow. Be sure you are going over all of the RED RULES and all of the tan boxes in each section of the adjectives chapter.

Math - Lesson 29. Rounding Whole Numbers and estimating. The class understood rounding really well. Remember, when you are asked to estimate an answer, first ROUND the numbers before you compute (add, subtract, multiply, or divide).

Eighth Grade

Pre-Algebra - Lesson 32. Variables and evaluation.

Remember, to evaluate an expression, change the variables to the numbers they represent and follow the order of operations rules.

Algebra I - Lesson 32. This lesson is just like Lesson 30 except that the statements now form equations instead of expressions. Write the equation out in the same manner that you did the expressions from Lesson 30, and solve the equation.

See you tomorrow!

Mrs. Swickey

Tuesday, November 2nd

Sixth Grade

Spelling - Unit 10 is due tomorrow! Remember, you do not have to do the Vocabulary Connections pages this time. Also, the test is tomorrow, so please study!

Literature - We read from the book today. No homework.

Math - Lesson 32. We only covered the expanded notation portion of this lesson. You need to do the practice problems a-d and all of the lesson problems except #4 and 27. I will explain how to do elapsed time tomorrow and you will finish those problems then. For expanded notation, write each digit in its own parenthesis multiplied by its place value. Here is an example:

Write 3,204 in expanded notation:

(3 x 1,000) + (2 x 100) + (4 x 1)

Since the three is in the thousands place, you write 3 x 1,000. Since the 2 is in the hundreds place, you write 2 x 100. Since there is a zero in the tens place, you do not need to write a parenthesis for the tens. Skip to the 4 and since it is in the ones place, you write 4 x 1. In between each parenthesis, you write a + sign.

To write a number in standard form from expanded notation, you just go backwards. Just make sure that you put place holder zeros if a place is missing.

For example:

(5 x 1,000) + (3 x 100) + (9 x 10)

This would be 5,390.

You put a zero in the ones place since there was not a parenthesis for the ones place.

Seventh Grade

Literature - Worksheets over The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street. You will have a Selection Test over the play tomorrow. Remember to think about the following essay question:

Many people are accused of being aliens in the play. Choose one and explain why the conclusions of the crowd are invalid. Be specific!

Spelling - Unit 11 is due on Friday. The focus this week is words with silent letters. You MUST study for this test! It isn't easy.

Grammar - Adjectives worksheets. There will be a test over adjectives on Thursday. This is a review. We will grade and go over the worksheets tomorrow.

Math - Lesson 28. Two-step word problems. Remember to always read word problems carefully and keep in mind what the question is asking. You sometimes have to work a couple of steps to get the correct answer. Finding averages is a good example of two-step problems. You have to add up all the numbers and then divide by the number of numbers. Your assignment is the practice and evens only!

Eighth Grade

Pre-Algebra - Lesson 31. Order of operations. For these, REMEMBER, that you always do multiplication OR division, left to right first. That means if a division problem comes first, you must do it before multiplication. Then, do addition OR subtraction, left to right. Again, if a subtraction comes before addition, do it first! The assignment is practice and #1-15 only.

Algebra I - Lesson 31. Equations with parentheses. Remember to first distribute and eliminate any parentheses. Keep in mind that when a negative number is on the outside of a parenthesis, you must distribute the negative sign as if it were -1. (It will change the sign of everything inside the parenthesis.) Then solve the equation as you already know how to do. The assignment is practice and #1-15 only.

See you tomorrow!

Mrs. Swickey

Monday, November 1st

Sixth Grade

Math - Lesson 31. I will go over the new concepts tomorrow. Have the rest of the lesson done because you will turn it in before the end of class tomorrow.

Spelling - Unit 10 is due on WEDNESDAY this time. You do not have to do the Vocabulary Connections pages either! Be sure you are studying for the test.

Literature - No homework.

Seventh Grade

Math - Lesson 27. I will go over the new concepts tomorrow. Have the rest of the lesson done because you will turn it in before the end of class tomorrow.

Literature - "The Monsters are Due on Maple Street" questions:

Thinking About the Selection #1-11
Analyzing Literature #1-4.

Vocabulary - There was a test today over Unit 4.

Eighth Grade

Both classes: Lesson 30. I will go over the new concepts tomorrow. Have the rest of the lesson done because you will turn it in before the end of class tomorrow. Pre-Algebra, you should also have Lesson 28 ready to turn in as well as the graphing worksheet. Algebra I, you should have Lesson 29 ready to turn in.

See you tomorrow!

Mrs. Swickey

Thursday, October 28th

Sixth Grade

Math - Lesson 30. Due Monday. Least Common Multiple and Reciprocals. Remember, for LCM, you are going to list several numbers that the two numbers GO INTO. (You cannot list all of them because the lists would never end.) So, to find the LCM of 3 and 5, first list the multiples of each number.

Multiples of 3 are 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18...

Multiples of 5 are 5, 10, 15, 20, 25....

Since 15 is the smallest number that is on BOTH lists, 15 is the least common multiple of 3 and 5.

Remember, multiples are what you get when you COUNT by a number.

For reciprocal, remember that anytime you multiply a number by its reciprocal you will get 1. A way to remember how to find the reciprocal is flip it over if it's a fraction. If it is a whole number, write the whole number over 1 and THEN flip it over. So, the reciprocal of 5 would be 1/5 because 5 is the same as 5/1, so flipping it would make it 1/5. The reciprocal of 2/3 is 3/2.

Literature - Look up the definitions of the vocabulary words for Section 2 Set 1. We will go over these on Monday.

Spelling - Unit 10. This will be due on Wednesday this time! I will make sure you get your books tomorrow.

Seventh Grade

Vocabulary - Test over Unit 4 is tomorrow! Please study the words.

Literature - We read from "The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street" today and will finish it tomorrow and watch the Twilight Zone episode.

Spelling - Unit 10 is due tomorrow. Also, study for the test!

Math - Lesson 26. Due tomorrow! Multiplying and Dividing mixed numbers. Remember to follow these steps:

1. Change whole numbers and mixed numbers to improper fractions. For whole numbers, just write it over 1. For mixed numbers do the U-TURN.

1a. If it is division, change the division sign to multiplication and flip the second fraction. If it is multiplication, skip this step!

2. Cross cancel where you can. Remember you cannot cross cancel side to side. Only top numbers with bottom numbers.

3. Multiply across and simplify if the answer is an improper fraction.

That's it!

Eighth Grade

Pre-Algebra - Graph worksheets.

Algebra I - Lesson 29. I will do a video for you this weekend! Check back for live examples on how to do these problems. The assignment isn't due until Monday as we will not have math class tomorrow.

See you then!

Mrs. Swickey

Wednesday, October 27th

Sixth Grade

Literature - Answer the two questions about Chapter 4. For the first question on the slip, just write a complete sentence. For the second question, use 3-5 sentences to explain your answer.

Math - Practice Test. There is a test tomorrow!

Spelling - Unit 10 pretest. The unit is due next Tuesday.

Seventh Grade

Vocabulary - Unit 4 is due tomorrow!

Spelling - Unit 10 is due on Friday. Be sure you are studying the words.

Literature - We are reading the play, "The Monsters are Due on Maple Street" together. No homework.

Math - The class took a test today. No homework.

Eighth Grade

Pre-Algebra. Lesson 29. Graphs.

Algebra I took a test today. No homework!

See you tomorrow for backwards day....

Mrs. Swickey

Monday, October 25th

Sixth Grade

Literature - We read from The Golden Goblet today and discussed the definitions from the latest set - Set 3 of Section 1. There will be a quiz over these 14 words on Wednesday.

Spelling - Unit 9 is due tomorrow. You do NOT have to do the Vocabulary Connections pages this week since you did not get your Spelling books back until Friday. There is a test over Unit 9 tomorrow as well.

*For those students who scored below 75 on the Unit 8 test, please study for a makeup test on Wednesday.

Math - We worked on Investigation 1 today. Histograms and Surveys. The students were grouped in two's or three's and planned their surveys for the classes tomorrow. There is NO HOMEWORK!

Seventh Grade

Literature - There is a Selection Test over "A Secret for Two" tomorrow. We discussed the essay question in class today. Be sure you go over the essay so that you know what you are going to write. It will help you organize your thoughts.

Grammar - pp. 55-57. Exercises D, E, and DWS. Follow directions for each exercise.

Spelling - Unit 10 was assigned today. Be sure you are studying the words you missed on today's pretest during the week. It will help you do better on the tests on Fridays.

Math - We finished our graphs for the animal behaviors from the zoo and each group shared their results. Tomorrow, we will get back to working on lessons! No homework.

Eighth Grade

Pre-Algebra. We worked through a practice test today. There is a test tomorrow. Be sure you go over your practice test problems!

Algebra I - Lesson 28. Fractional Parts of Numbers and Functional Notation.

For fractional parts, remember to change the words into math symbols and variables and solve like regular equations. For example, 56 is 2/3 of what number?

First, you would change the "is" to an equals sign and the "of" to a multiplication sign and the "what number" to a variable such as n.

Then you would have: 56=2/3 x n

Since you don't have to use a multiplication sign in Algebra, you can change that to:

56 = 2/3n

Then, you would just multiply both sides by the reciprocal of 2/3, which is 3/2 and get n = 84

Functional notation is another method of of evaluating an expression given a value for the variable. For example:



The answer in the above example is read like this: "The function of negative three is seven."

See you tomorrow!
Mrs. Swickey

Wednesday, October 20

Sixth Grade

Literature - "Quiz Time" sheet with 10 questions over Chapters 1-3 of The Golden Goblet. This is due on Friday because I will be on a field trip with the 7th graders tomorrow.

Spelling - Unit 9 was assigned today. The students do not have their Spelling books back yet, but I will make sure they have them tomorrow!

Math - Lesson 29. Practice and #1-10 only. Remember, to multiply fractions you multiply ACROSS. Numerator times numerator, and denominator times denominator. Then reduce the fraction you get after multiplying, if necessary. If the top number is bigger than the bottom, you will need to change it into a mixed number by dividing the bottom number into the top.

If you have a whole number multiplied by a fraction, first write the whole number over 1, then multiply across.

Seventh Grade

Don't forget! If you haven't brought your permission slip or your money for our trip to the zoo, be sure you have it with you tomorrow! You cannot go unless we have the permission slip. Remember, you must wear your uniforms. You can wear a spirit shirt, if you have one. You may NOT wear carnival shirts or house shirts tomorrow. Save those for Friday. We are going to have a great time. I expect your best behavior and full participation in our activity observing and recording the animal behaviors. It's going to be a fun day. One more thing, be sure you bring lunch money or a sack lunch. I will have a cooler to put your lunches in.

Spelling - Unit 9 is due on Friday! Please be sure you are studying. I passed out the home study sheet today, so take that home and study tonight and tomorrow night!

Literature - Worksheets over "A Secret for Two". These are due tomorrow. I will take them up in the morning!

Vocabulary - We reviewed the words for Unit 4. Write 10 sentences with ten of the words. These are also due tomorrow.

Math - Lesson 24. Dividing Fractions. Remember the rule for dividing fractions: Change the division sign to multiplication and flip the second fraction. Then cross cancel where you can and multiply across. Change any improper fractions into mixed numbers and be sure the fractions are completely reduced! The lesson is due on FRIDAY.

Eighth Grade

Both of the following assignments are due on Friday. You will have another math assignment passed out tomorrow that will also be due on Friday.

Pre-Algebra: Lesson 27. Area of triangles. Remember, to find the area of a triangle, multiply the base times the height and divide by two. You can always find the height because it is at a RIGHT ANGLE to the base. You can find the right angle by looking for the little square. Sometimes the height is NOT one of the sides, but will be indicated by the little square and dotted lines to the top point of the triangle.

Algebra I - Lesson 27. You were all doing so well with the examples today, so I won't go through it again! Excellent job.

See you tomorrow!
Mrs. Swickey

Tuesday, October 19th

Just a reminder to everyone - my school email is working again! If you don't know my email but need to ask me a question, just look in the right side bar.

Sixth Grade

Literature - Define the 14 vocabulary words for Section 1 - Set 3. We finished reading Chapter 3 in The Golden Goblet so we are making progress!

Spelling - No homework! The unit was due today.

Math - Lesson 28. Fraction manipulatives: 1/5 and 1/10. You are doing the whole lesson. If you have trouble with some of the practice (and there are a few!), we will go over them tomorrow.

Seventh Grade

Spelling - Be sure you are working on Unit 9 this week. We did not take a practice test, so everyone will take the test on Friday! I will give you a home study sheet tomorrow.

Literature - Finish reading the story, "A Secret for Two" and answer the questions: Thinking About the Selection #1-6 and Analyzing Literature #1-3.

Math - Today during math class, we prepared for Thursday's field trip by watching a video of animals and observing them. Tomorrow, we will make a few graphs with our data from today. This is a warm-up to what you will be doing with your chosen animals on Thursday. No homework!

Grammar - Adjectives pp. 51-54. Exercises A and C. You do not have to do Exercise B. Remember to write the adjectives and the nouns described in columns. Do not use arrows!

Eighth Grade

Pre-Algebra. Lesson 26. Mean, median, mode, and range. If you still need help, email me to let me know! There is no math help on Wednesdays so I can't help you in the morning.

Algebra I - Lesson 26. More complicated equations.

Remember these steps:

1. Combine any like terms on each side of the equation.
2. Move variables to the same side of the equation.
3. Eliminate the constant on the same side of the variable.
4. Eliminate any coefficients of the variables.
5. Simplify your answer, if necessary.

Here are a few examples:



See you tomorrow!
Mrs. Swickey

Tuesday, October 12th

Sixth Grade

Literature - Book reports were due today! If you didn't have your report finished, be sure you have everything you need for tomorrow. We will continue to present our reports in the morning.

Spelling - The test over Unit 7 was today. Tomorrow, we will begin working on Unit 8.

Math - There was a math test today. No homework!

Seventh Grade

Literature - The book report was due today! For those of you that didn't have it done, be sure you have everything you need for tomorrow!

Grammar - There is a test over Verbs tomorrow! Please go over the chapter in your book.

Spelling - Unit 8 is due on Thursday. Remember, no Vocabulary Connections this week!

Math - Lesson 22. Fraction of a group problems. Everyone remembered how to do these from last year, but if you are stuck, please email me!

Eighth Grade

Pre-Algebra. We worked on a test review today. Please finish the review and go over the questions for your test tomorrow.

Algebra I took a test today. Lesson 25 is due tomorrow.

See you then!

Mrs. Swickey

Monday, October 11th

NOTE TO PARENTS AND STUDENTS:
My school email is working again so you can email me at the address in the right sidebar anytime you need me!

Sixth Grade

Literature - BOOK REPORTS ARE DUE TOMORROW! Be sure you have completed all the parts of the book report: Data Sheet with Reflection (what YOU thought of the book), Book Summary (what the book was ABOUT), and Extended Activity. We will begin presenting our book reports tomorrow. Not everyone will have a chance to present tomorrow, but everyone must come prepared and ready to go!

We also read a little of The Golden Goblet today.

Spelling - Unit 7 is due tomorrow! Please make sure you have finished the unit. STUDY!

Math - Practice Test 4. This should be done at home. We will go over the practice test tomorrow and then take the test.

Seventh Grade

Spelling - Unit 8 was assigned. It is due on Thursday. No Vocabulary Connections this week! Be sure you do the Challenge page though. AND STUDY!

Literature - BOOK REPORTS ARE DUE TOMORROW! Be sure you have written your literary element analysis essay and filled out the book report data sheet.

Vocabulary - The test over Units 1-3 is tomorrow. You MAY use your card box. Be sure you have organized the cards alphabetically in your box!

Math - No homework tonight! We finished up testing today and didn't have time to learn a new lesson.

Eighth Grade

Pre-Algebra. Lesson 25. Area as a difference. Remember, first find the area of the shape as if it were a solid rectangle. Then, find the area of the portion that was "cut out" of the rectangle. Subtract it from the area of the whole rectangle. That's it!

Algebra I. Test Review 5. Tomorrow is the test! Lesson 25 is due on Wednesday for you.

See you tomorrow!
Mrs. Swickey

Thursday, October 7th

Sixth Grade

Spelling - Unit 7 will be due on Tuesday, as usual.

Literature - Remember that your first book report is due on Tuesday! We will be presenting these in class, so be sure you have completed everything!

Math - Supplemental 22.

Seventh Grade

Spelling - Unit 7 is due tomorrow! Please be sure you have finished the unit.

Vocabulary - Unit Review 1-3 is due on Monday.

Literature - Book reports are due on Tuesday! Be sure you have finished reading and have given yourself enough time to write your essay analyzing the literary element you picked. Remember, you are only writing about ONE literary element - not all four.

Math - Lesson 21. Prime & Composite numbers and prime factorization.

Grammar - Worksheet reviewing helping verbs.

Eighth Grade

Pre-Algebra - Lesson 23. Here are two examples of unit multipliers.



Algebra I. Lesson 23. Remember that when you are solving equations, you are still follow sign rules. So, if you have to subtract a number from a negative number, think about adding the opposite. Let me know if you have any questions!

See you tomorrow.

Mrs. Swickey

Tuesday, October 5th

Sixth Grade

Today, we read more of The Golden Goblet and discussed the vocabulary words assigned yesterday. There will be a quiz over these words on Thursday. No homework!

Spelling - Unit 6 is due tomorrow! The test is also tomorrow.

Math - We did not do a new lesson today. The lesson from yesterday will be due tomorrow!

Are you working on your book reports?? Remember, you have several parts to do, so please work hard!

Seventh Grade

Literature - Worksheet over "A Boy and A Man". The Selection Test will be tomorrow so please go over the essay question given to you today.

Vocabulary - Unit Review 1-3 was assigned today. The unit review will be due on Monday. You do not have to do the Word Families section, but need to complete all other sections.

Math - There was no math assignment today. We will do the Investigation tomorrow!

Eighth Grade

Pre-Algebra - Test 4 was today. Lesson 21 is due tomorrow!

Algebra I - Today, the class worked on Practice Test 4. The test is tomorrow.

See you then!
Mrs. Swickey

Monday, October 4th

Sixth Grade

Literature - Look up the next set of 14 vocabulary words for The Golden Goblet. We will continue reading in class. Bring your book with you EVERY DAY!

Don't forget!!! The book report is due on October 12th...that's a week from tomorrow! We will go over some of the details in class tomorrow to make sure everyone knows what they are going to do.

Spelling - Unit 6 is due on WEDNESDAY this week. This is because I did not get your Spelling books back to you early enough last week! The test will be Wednesday as well.

Math - Lesson 24. Adding and Subtracting fractions with common denominators. Remember that when you add and subtract fractions, you are ONLY adding and subtracting the numerators. That's it! It's a pretty easy lesson today. Remember, you are only doing the practice problems and the EVENS.

Seventh Grade

We spent most of our class time testing. In Literature, the students paired up and acted out a skit. The rest of the class then guessed what kind of conflict the skit presented. It was a LOT of fun! No homework.

Eighth Grade

Pre-Algebra. Practice Test 4. PLEASE finish the practice test. We will quickly go over a few problems before the test tomorrow, but you MUST study for these tests! They are NOT easy.

We also went over Lesson 21. This is due on WEDNESDAY. I will post examples tomorrow night.

Algebra I

Here's another video! (Wouldn't you know, a fire truck or something went by right at the end. You can still hear me though!)